System for consulting an electronic mail server

Abstract

A system for consulting an electronic mail server ( 20 ) in which a plurality of electronic messages addressed to a user are stored under data (a) identifying that user. The system includes an electronic memory card ( 40 ) for storing the identity data (a), and a telephone appliance ( 10 ) having a handset ( 15 ), an electronic memory card reader ( 14 ), a display screen ( 11 ), and keys ( 12 a, . . . , 12 h ) giving access to options displayed on the screen ( 11 ). The telephone appliance ( 10 ) is suitable firstly for transmitting to the server ( 20 ) the identity data (a) as read by the electronic memory card reader ( 14 ), and secondly for displaying a list of received electronic messages returned from the server ( 20 ) and presented as options on the display screen ( 11 ). The user can select a message by pressing the corresponding access key ( 12 a, . . . , 12 h ).

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A system for consulting an electronic mail server ( 20 ) in which a plurality of electronic messages are recorded for a user under data (a) identifying that user, the system being characterized in that it comprises: 
       an electronic memory card ( 40 ) for storing said identity data (a; and  
       a telephone appliance ( 10 ) comprising a handset ( 15 ), an electronic memory card reader ( 14 ), a display screen ( 11 ), and a plurality of access keys ( 12   a,  . . . ,  12   h ) positioned adjacent said screen for giving access to options displayed on said screen ( 11 );  
       said telephone appliance ( 10 ) being suitable firstly for transmitting to said server ( 20 ) the identity data (a) as read by the electronic memory card reader ( 14 ), and secondly for displaying a list of received electronic messages returned from the server ( 20 ) that are presented as options on the display screen ( 11 ) and aligned in a respectively corresponding relationship to said access keys, the user selecting a message by pressing its correspondingly aligned access key ( 12   a,  . . . ,  12   h ).  
     
     
       2. A system according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the telephone appliance ( 10 ) is suitable for displaying the message selected by the user on its display screen ( 11 ). 
     
     
       3. A system according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the telephone appliance ( 10 ) is suitable for transmitting the selected message in voice form when the handset ( 15 ) is picked up. 
     
     
       4. A system according to any one of  claim 1 , characterized in that said list of electronic messages is accompanied by the number of words and/or the duration of each message. 
     
     
       5. A system according to any one of  claim 1 , characterized in that said electronic memory card ( 40 ) also contains prepaid telephone units. 
     
     
       6. A system according to  claim 5 , wherein said telephone appliance deducts a given number of telephone units from said prepaid telephone units as a charge for accessing said electronic messages on said server. 
     
     
       7. A system according to any one of  claim 1 , characterized in that said user identity data comprises an electronic mail address (a). 
     
     
       8. A system according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the identity data also comprises a password. 
     
     
       9. A system according to any one of  claim 1 , characterized in that the telephone appliance ( 10 ) also comprises means enabling the user to take actions on the selected message. 
     
     
       10. A system according to  claim 9 , characterized in that said action-taking means are means for replying to and/or forwarding said message. 
     
     
       11. A system according to any one of  claim 1 , characterized in that said telephone appliance ( 10 ) is suitable for sending a message spoken orally by the user.